Environmental Education Legislation Update
Good News for National Environmental Education Act Funding!
On June 26th, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 2996), with some good news for environmental education. Included in the bill is $10 million (an increase of $1 million) for the National Environmental Education Act (NEEA), which funds important programs like Project Learning Tree through EETAP. While in the grand scheme of things $1 million doesn't seem like a lot, it has been almost a decade since this Program (housed within the Environmental Protection Agency) has seen any funding increases.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved their version of the FY 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, including $9 million for NEEA. While the Senate maintains funding at the current level, they include direction to EPA to use the NEEA funds solely for NEEA activities, whereas in the past, EPA has taken significant funding off the top for administrative purposes.

No Child Left Inside Act
The drive continues to secure cosponsors on the No Child Left Inside Act (HR 2054/S 866). In the House 12 new cosponsors have been added in the last month, bringing the number of House cosponsors to 72, more cosponsors than we've ever had on this legislation in the House. In the Senate, we're up to 15 cosponsors, with 2 more added in the last month.

Climate Change Impacts in the United States
A new report on Climate Change Impacts in the United States was released by the White House and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The report and new website highlight regional impacts that are already occurring and will likely occur, as well as the new climate literacy framework and an educators toolkit geared toward middle school students. Check out the report and supporting materials at www.globalchange.gov.

NAAEE Seeking Photos for “EE Year in Review”
Deadline for submission: August 15, 2009
We're nearly half way through 2009 and it's time to start looking backward at what we've already accomplished, and forward at how we will celebrate our successes at the NAAEE conference. NAAEE is compiling an "EE Year in Review" show to send to all conference participants on DVD. Please share the highlights of your EE programs, your local award winners, how you have reached new and diverse audiences, with visual images in a 300 dpi format on a CD. Please include credit to the photographer for each image you send. Submissions should be sent to Dr. Joe Baust, NAAEE “EE Year in Review”, Murray State University, 3201 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071. National PLT is also always in need of good photos highlighting the work of PLT programs, environmental educators, and their students. If you’re going to send photos to NAAEE, please send them to us, too! Anyone under the age of 18 whose face is clearly visible, needs to sign a release form. Many thanks to Elizabeth Burke, 2009 Outstanding Educator Honoree from Virginia, for some great photos!

Click here to see PLT's Facebook Page!

What’s New on PLT’s Facebook Page?

We’ve created four new sections under the “Notes” tab on PLT’s Facebook page.
• PLT in the News ~ Here we’ve posted recent media clips about the PLT program in Minnesota and New Mexico, and an article from Washington Home & Garden magazine who interviewed Kathy McGlauflin for their story.
• PLT Outstanding Educators ~ View the acceptance speeches given by our five PLT National Outstanding Educators at the 2009 PLT Conference in Indianapolis.
• GreenWorks! Projects in Action ~ Read about projects, for example, in Indiana, Georgia, Maine, and New York, that received local media coverage.
• PLT Notes from the Field ~ Here we highlight the work of our dedicated PLT State Coordinators and facilitators around the country. Check out the stories we’ve heard/comments we’ve received from Indiana and New Jersey.

In order to join the group and take full advantage of all its features, you need to have your own Facebook profile. Contact us for assistance if needed!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

EETAP Course Announcement – Fall 2009
The following four online courses will be offered this fall through the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Classes usually run from September – November/ December. Scholarship funds are available. Visit the Online Course Website for additional details http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx

Fundamentals of Environmental Education
A 12-week online course about the fundamentals of environmental education is appropriate for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers.

Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences
This 10-week on-line course is designed to provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills needed to make EE relevant to culturally diverse audiences.

Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation
This 13-week on-line course is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in evaluating their education programs.

Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation
Learn how to develop successful strategic planning and implementation models, processes and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on managing the strategic planning process to build the capacity of organizations to provide effective environmental education programs.

6th Annual National Service Learning Institute
August 5-7, 2009
New Foundations Charter School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How can the principles of service-learning be applied in inner-city environments? What are the issues and opportunities that educators and students face in urban areas? Join the National Youth Leadership Council for this annual two-day event that focuses on applying the principles of service-learning in urban environments. This event brings together community members, young people, and school leaders to discuss service-learning outreach and application techniques that help urban students achieve academic excellence and become strong community leaders. Participants have an opportunity to explore current trends and topics affecting urban communities, and to share and learn from colleagues from other urban districts.

SCA’s Green Your School Contest
Application Deadline: October 9, 2009

The Student Conservation Association’s Green Your School Contest launched April 1st. Supported with a grant from the NBC Universal Foundation, the Green Your School Contest recognizes conservation service projects designed by high school students that improve or restore or beautify or conserve their high school environment. Prizes will be awarded to winning high schools and include one grand prize of $5,000 and two first prizes of $2,500. Submissions must be received by October 9th and winners will be announced in mid-November, 2009.

The President’s Environmental Youth Awards
Application Deadline: December 31, 2009
Since 1971, EPA has sponsored the President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA). The program recognizes young people across America for projects which demonstrate their commitment to the environment. Young people in all 50 states and the U.S. territories are invited to participate in the program. Projects submitted in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas including recycling programs in schools and communities; construction of nature preserves; major tree planting programs; videos, skits, and newsletters created by students that focused on environmental issues; and environmental science projects. To be eligible to compete, a student or students, sponsored by an adult, must submit to their local EPA regional office evidence of a completed project as defined in the PEYA application, as well as a completed application.

Calling ALL Youth Photographers!
Application Deadline: July 31, 2009
Adobe Youth Voices, a global youth media initiative, and the nonprofit, “What Kids Kids Can Do, Inc.” have announced their first-ever international photo competition.

When written in Chinese or Japanese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other representing hope. “Crisis and Hope” offer an exciting opportunity for youth around the world to express themselves through photographs--and make their voices heard--on both what is challenging and what gives hope in today’s world. Winning photographs will be showcased online, in a traveling exhibit, and in a book. The contest is open to all young people between the ages of 12 and 19. Winners will be announced by August 31, 2009.